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Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Thank you all so very much for your kindness, friendship and love on the loss of Harrington. I had fully intended to write a post for today, but honestly, I just don't feel like it. The words just aren't there. So instead, I will give you a little update.

I'm almost finished packing. All I have left is Bunnyville. We will start moving next Wednesday the 1st and be in Wilmington for good on the 4th.

Hannah is doing ok. Sweet little thing she is. Several people have asked me if I will get her a new friend. The answer is no. Not that I wouldn't if I felt she needed it, but the fact is, she is older and her disease is something that can easily be spread to a new bunny. Harrington seemed to be immune to it. So, since Hannah is eating and seems to be doing just fine with extra snuggles from me, I am not going to upset the apple cart. Not to mention, I am going to be living in tight quarters for the next six months and I'm still keeping Hannah and Sabrina kitty separated.

Don' worry. I'm doing ok, I am just trying to focus on the journey ahead. I will be sharing new adventures from Wilmington with you and I'm looking forward to it.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

My heart is heavy and broken into a million little pieces. I can't stop crying. Friday night Harrington was happy and dancing around for his banana treat. At 5:15 Saturday morning, he was sick. I did all my regular tricks with pain meds and fluids thinking he had his normal abdominal issue that he gets when he sheds. Normally within 3-6 hours he is back to his silly self. But by 2:30 in the afternoon, he wasn't any better. So I put him and Hannah in their "To Go Box" and we headed out on our 2 1/2 hour drive to the bunny vet. Thank goodness David was with me.

The whole drive there, I was thinking it was odd that he didn't get better. He has never really been sick or had any issues outside of this. When the vet examined him, she said she needed to do an x-ray because his stomach was distended. I got a lump in my throat. The x-ray showed his stomach was three times larger than normal and it was blocked. The vet said it was probably a tumor and she couldn't fix it medically. Harrington would need surgery. Both the vet and I know that bunnies rarely, if ever, survive this kind of surgery. They are just too fragile. Even if they do make it through, the recovery is so hard that they normally only last a day or two because of the pain. Not to mention it would cost almost $3,000 for nothing more than losing gamble.

I decided I couldn't put him through it and I didn't want to get a call from the vet saying he didn't make it through surgery. I have received that call far too many times before. So instead, I decided to have one last group snuggle with him and Hannah. I kissed his face and told him everything was going to be alright. I wanted him to be surrounded by nothing but love as his light left this earth.

Sunday, while sitting on the floor crying and looking at my pile of things to be packed, I thought about all the things people have in life that they take from one place to the next. The little mementos, gifts and keepsakes. I thought about how one decides what is important to take and what will be given away or left behind.

I thought about how I never dreamed I would be facing such sorrow in the middle of getting ready for a new adventure in Wilmington. We were all suppose to be together. I especially never thought it would be Harrington who would leave first as Hannah is the one with an incurable disease. But, I guess you never really know do you? Life has a way of throwing a curve right in the middle of best laid plans.

So now, as I finish packing, I am reminded of what I'll take with me.... my memories.

I will take my memories of Bunnyville and Harrington and Hannah's corner office. How they inspired me to create the "Adventures of Harrington and Hannah" block of the month quilt and how people all over the world enjoyed making it.

I will take my memories of how he had ticklish back feet and hated having a pet-i-cure.

I will take my memories of how he could wear his ears up or down, but preferred to wear one up and one down. It will be my reminder of how it is always best to be myself.

I will take my memories of him and Hannah together. They were the best of friends and loved each other so very much. It will be my reminder of how much I love my friends and how much they mean to me.

But most of all, I will take my memory of how on August 28, 2010, a sweet little bunny named Sir Walter Harrington, came home with me from the rescue and blessed my life every day for almost five years.

I thought of you with love today,
But that is nothing new;
I thought of you yesterday,
And the day before that too.
I think of you in silence,
I often speak your name;
Now all I have are memories,
And your picture in a frame.
Your memory is my keepsake
With which I'll never part,
God has you in his keeping,
I have you in my heart.
--unknown

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Well, last month was my final meeting with my dear quilting friends of The Croatan Quilter's Guild. I'm up to my bunny ears with packing and taking care of things before I move on July 1st. It's hard to believe it was 20 years ago that I joined this guild. I have so many wonderful memories to take with me.

As always, it was a fun meeting with lots of festivities. Gerri started us out with the Laundry Basket 1/2 square triangle swap. We each sewed a sheet of 1/2 square triangles using the Laundry Basket Quilt papers. Boy oh boy was that easy! Perfect points! Woo hoo!

We dumped our triangles into the basket and Gerri gave them a good mixing. Then we each took 28 triangles out in exchange. It will be fun to put these together and remember my friends.

Next we moved onto our program. This month it was "Schoolhouse." We had three stations with three teachers and we broke up into groups of three.

Lori showed us how to do different binding techniques and explained what judges look for on quilt bindings. Many of the gals use a 2 or 2 1/4" strip for their binding. I have always used 2 1/2". What do you use?

Next, Renee showed us how to make fabric roses using a fat quarter.

They were super easy and would make a great gift for a fabric loving buddy.

Lea and Pam had fun showing off their roses.

Too funny!

Then we moved to the next table where Gerri reminded us how much we all still love a box of crayons. Gerri is a huge fan of Crabapple Hill Designs and has made bunches of quilts and projects by Meg. She showed us how Meg uses a white crayon first and then the colored crayon. This gives a more finished, smooth look.

She also showed us how to make an invisible knot. That was totally cool!

After school, we moved onto show and tell! Faye brought these two beauties.

I really love this crisscross pattern.

Suzanne shared this big quilt. Very modern and fun.

My fun friend, Kathie, share a thread and needle keeper.

She made it for Carolyn as Carolyn wanted one that would hold a big spool of thread. The one she had was too dinky. Kathie does love a challenge and I think she did really well!

Here Carolyn shows off this bright and cheery quilt.

Pam brought in this batik beauty. She and Lori are having a little chat.

I think it was about how Pam won the blocks from the guild retreat and Lori wanting to steal them. You can see Pam's reaction. LOL!

This sweet gal was visiting our guild for the first time. Deanna brought her as a guest. I'm sorry, but I didn't write her name down and I can't remember it. :( However, she made this incredible tee shirt quilt. I do hope she will come back and be a part of this fun group.

Jackie shared this little cutie

and this one too. I love those hexie flowers.

Barbara was on a roll this month with quilts for the kids. I think she must have locked herself in her sewing room for weeks. She brought this one,

and this one

and this one

and this one

and this one

and this one

and lastly, this one. Whew!

Lori also brought quilts for the kiddo's.

I love those bees!

She finished up show and tell with this fun quilt.

This poem is dedicated to all my treasured friends at The Croatan Quilter's Guild.

A Friend is a Treasure - by Jean Kyler McManus
A friend is someone we turn to
When our spirits need a lift,
A friend is someone we treasure
For our friendship is a gift,
A friend is someone who fills our lives
With beauty, joy and grace
And makes the world we live in
A better and happier place.

Thank you dear girlfriends for making the past 20 years so much fun. I will miss you all so very much. You will always be close to my heart.